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The Art of John Alvin

With the instantly recognisable images for Gremlins, E.T., Blade Runner and Star Wars representing only a small portion of this collection, The Art of John Alvin rightly confirms his position among the greatest movie poster artists of all-time. Courtesy of John Alvin’s wife and collaborator Andrea, this new book from Titan offers fans a long overdue showcase of his incredible body of work.

Featuring detailed text, previously unseen concept sketches and unused artwork, we are guided through an outstanding career in commercial illustration, the product of which represents some of the most iconic images in cinema history. Interestingly, Alvin’s approach to himself as not simply just an illustrator, but a fully functioning design studio, also resulted in a number of largely photographic designs as seen in posters such as The Lost Boys and Batman Returns. Undoubtably wise to the impact that photography and computer design would soon have on commercial artists, Alvin’s skill in execution and flair for conceptual design allows these pre-Photoshop era designs to sit comfortably alongside their painted counterparts.

An inspiring approach to his career and telling of the fundamental importance that intelligent design has behind any work. Whether they’re finished with brush and paint, camera or computer, it’s the atmosphere and promise that these posters created that was all-important. Something sorely lacking in today’s generation of hackneyed movie posters.

Running at only 160 pages there’s undoubtably more to see of John Alvin’s oeuvre, but for now i’m grateful that like other great poster artists such as Drew Struzan, Bob Peak and Robert McGinnis, John Alvin is are finally receiving the attention he deserves. Essential.